Book One, Chapter III — Summary
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Book One, Chapter III — Summary
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Book One, Chapter III — Summary
At Anna Pavlovna’s soirée, Pierre Bezukhov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky withdraw from the main group to talk privately. Pierre, full of enthusiasm and idealism, speaks passionately about political reforms and the ideas of the French Revolution, praising Napoleon as a great man.
Prince Andrei listens patiently but remains skeptical. He admires Pierre’s sincerity but sees his ideas as impractical. Andrei confides that he finds society boring and unfulfilling, and that his pregnant wife feels like a burden to him.
He reveals to Pierre that he is planning to leave soon to join the army in the war against Napoleon. Andrei seeks meaning and glory in military service, hoping to escape the emptiness of aristocratic life.
This chapter deepens the contrast between Pierre’s idealistic dreams and Andrei’s pragmatic disillusionment, while hinting at major life changes ahead for both men.